What to Expect on Your First Visit Devin Sole
2018-10-24T10:43:20+00:00

What to Expect on Your First Visit

When your child has been referred for an evaluation, we realize that coming to KIDS Center can seem like an overwhelming experience. Our goal is to provide every family with a safe and supportive place to share your experience without judgement. Below is a step-by-step guide for what you and your child can expect when you come to KIDS Center. If you have any questions before your visit, you can call us at 541.383.5958 and ask to speak with a family support specialist.

KIDS Center provides translation services, free of charge, to clients who do not speak English. If you need assistance, please let a member of staff know that you need an interpreter.

Welcome to KIDS Center

KIDS Center offers a safe and caring environment for children to share their experiences of abuse. It is a welcoming place filled with toys, teddy bears, games, and smiling faces. Our staff will do everything we can to help you and your family feel comfortable throughout your visit.

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What to Bring

Bringing your completed paperwork helps make the most of your time at KIDS Center. Paperwork may be mailed or emailed to you, or you may download and print it off our website here.

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Make Yourself Comfortable

To help you feel more comfortable, we have two private family waiting rooms; one suited for younger children and one for teens. Every family is paired with an evaluation team consisting of a medical examiner, an interviewer, and a family support specialist to help guide you through your evaluation.

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Getting Started

The team will meet with you as the primary caregiver to gather medical and social history for your child and family. This helps KIDS Center staff better understand your family’s needs.

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Child-Friendly Interview

Children four and older are given the opportunity to share their stories in a child-friendly environment where other members of the team are able to listen from another room. This minimizes the number of times that children have to tell their stories and helps them feel safe and supported.

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Medical Exam

Children receive a voluntary head-to-toe medical exam to address both abuse-related and general health concerns.

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Support For Your Family

A Family Support Specialist will help answer any questions you may have throughout the process and connect you with additional community resources to support you during this time. They will also be available to you in the days and weeks following your child’s evaluation.

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Wrapping Up

After the interview and medical exam, KIDS Center staff will meet with the caregiver to share what was learned throughout the evaluation and discuss next steps and recommendations.

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Next Steps

Families will have the opportunity to speak with a mental health therapist at the time of the evaluation who can provide information and answer questions about how to help your family cope with reactions about the abuse and respond to any challenging behaviors. If therapy is recommended, the therapist can connect you with therapy to help your family begin the healing process.